Trees for Troops Delivering the Spirit of Christmas to Troops and Military Families

 Charitable branch of National Christmas Tree Association  501(c)(3) nonprofit organization  EIN  Independent Charities of America “Best in America”  Funded through donations, grants, sponsors, royalties  More than 94% of funds go to Trees for Troops About the Christmas Spirit Foundation

About Trees for Troops  Free, real Christmas Trees to troops and military families  More than 139,000 trees since 2005  60+ military bases  U.S. and overseas  Top 20 finalist (nationwide) in 2012 White House “Joining Forces Community Challenge”  Farm-fresh shipping via partnership with FedEx

How Does it Work?  Tree donations/collection sites, Trees for Troops Weekend  Foundation staff coordinate the work of:  Christmas Tree growers, farm families, retailers  National Christmas Tree Association and state/regional Christmas Tree associations  Donors and sponsors  FedEx  Military bases  Hundreds of volunteers  Collection and farm-fresh delivery late Nov./early Dec.

What is Trees for Troops Weekend?  First weekend in December  Christmas Tree farms, lots and retailers across the country volunteer to gather trees and donations  Trailers, pickup and shipping provided by FedEx  Consumers can donate funds or Christmas Trees, write personal messages on tree tags  Promoted nationwide  In 2013, 60 collection sites gathered 7,216 trees for Trees for Troops

National Awareness Question: Saw, Heard or Read About Trees for Troops – 17 million+ Millions of Households

National Awareness Question: How did the news about FedEx's participation in the Trees for Troops program influence your likelihood to do business with FedEx in the future? 44% 7,459,760 people are more likely to do business with FedEx

Cause Marketing Creates Goodwill and ROI  83% of Americans say they want brands to support causes  41% of American have bought a product or service because it was associated with a cause they support Source: 2012 Cone Cause-Evolution Study

Giving that Makes a Difference to our Troops "I recently received one of the beautiful trees at the Ft. Eustis Army base. I wanted to say thank you very much, it is a wonderful and heartfelt gesture that outstanding Americans from around our great nation donate to this program and that FedEx delivers to bases all around the USA. We are very grateful for all involved that make this possible.” - John “I just wanted to say a big Thank You for your generosity! My husband and I feel extremely blessed to have received such a BEAUTIFUL Christmas tree!! We are excited to be able to decorate our first Christmas tree together when he comes home from training next week!” -The Kings “Thank you all so much for the gift of our beautiful Christmas Tree. It blesses our home and our hearts so much. These trees not only send a message of love and support, but they also send a message of help and concern during the Holiday Season. Trees For Troops has always gifted us with the most beautiful and expensive of trees. We will spend the evening decorating our tree remembering your gratitude for my husband and his continued service to this great nation of ours. We cannot thank you enough.” -SFC Liam and family

How Can You Get Involved?  Ask your Christmas Tree retailer – many accept donations or provide other opportunities to support the program  During Trees for Troops Weekend, visit a participating location to purchase a Christmas Tree or make a donation  Donate online at (tax deductible)  Double your donation – ask if your employer will match your charitable donations  Select Combined Federal Campaign (federal employee giving)  Become a local or national sponsor

Thank You Trees for Troops A program of the Christmas SPIRIT Foundation Swingley Ridge Road, Suite 300 Chesterfield, MO USA Phone: 636/ Fax: 636/